A/N: I did a loooot of research on Japanese culture for this story and tried my best to incorporate it into the story accurately. However, some stuff I found had conflicting info so I used what seemed to be the most recent info; some stuff I couldn't find at all so I didn't use it or used my best guess based on all my other research; some stuff only applied to Americans going to Japan and not the Japanese people themselves, so I used the same info, assuming it was also true for them. If you know better in any case of reference you see, please let me know!
Ch 1 The Truth Comes Out
Kyoko takes out her ringing cellphone. "Moshi-moshi, Tsugura-san!" she says with a smile. "What is it?"
"Eto…I was wondering…if you would mind coming to my house for dinner tonight after your final shoot? I have a sort-of belated Christmas/birthday thing for you, since I missed those on my last shoot in the States, and dinner could be a celebration of the end of your successful stint, since I won't be able to make the wrap party. It could also be for me, as selfish as that is, to celebrate the end of my series and my homecoming after all this time. Sort of a multi-purpose party, you might say!" Ren chuckles. Kyoko beams. She had noticed that ever since Guam, Tsugura-san had lightened up considerably, smiling naturally a lot more frequently, and even laughing—her favorite sights and sounds in the whole world. She is grateful his extended stay overseas hadn't brought him back down.
"Of course! That sounds wonderful!" Kyoko exclaims excitedly. "What time should I show up?"
"Is eight ok? I have to go out of town to pick up your gift. That's why I can't go to your wrap party. Oh, and uh…I also have something important to tell you…er, show you, really."
As soon as Kyoko heard, "your gift," her mind went wild and she barely heard the "something to tell you/show you" part. It disappeared into the back of her mind.
"Really? Y-you didn't need to get me anything, Tsuruga-san! I mean…I didn't get you anything!" Ren could instantly tell by her guilty-sounding and whiny voice that she truly felt bad.
"I-I wanted to. It's nothing, really. And I didn't expect you to get me anything when you were busting your butt all this time. But if you really want to do something in return…I'm pretty tired, so perhaps you couldcook the dinner?"
Ren could hear Kyoko's grin before she even said a word. "Th-that's right! I can totally do that! I will make a multiple-course celebration meal for you! I promise I won't be late!"
"Well, this will be my first time home in months, and I've had my fill of American food for a while. I'm sure I'll love whatever you make! And I'll need the strength for tomorrow…I mean I only got home just today, and it seems the President already has another project lined up for me. Apparently for you as well, Mogami; he did mention something, but he gave me no details about either of our assignments. But if we both eat well tonight, I'm sure we'll be ready for whatever the President throws our way tomorrow, right?"
"Oh, yes, of course! Certainly! I'm looking forward to it! I'll see you at eight!"
"Actually, if you're going to do the cooking, why don't you leave the wrap party a little early so you will have time to prepare the food? I mean, if you start the cooking at 8, I just might collapse from exhaustion before it even makes it to the table! That won't do, will it? I will leave an extra key to my house with Yashiro-san so you can come in whenever you're ready to start cooking. Does that sound ok?"
"Hai! I shall do my very best and make sure it is finished by 8!"
"One more thing, Mogami…I really appreciate this. I can't think of anyone else who would be willing to do such a thing for me, especially right after a shoot and during the wrap party, and certainly not happily. You really are something, you know that? I'm very grateful. I shall see you at 8!" *click*
"You really are something….you really are something…you really are something…" Kyoko grins from ear to ear, Tsugura-san's compliment echoing endlessly in her mind until she's back on set.
Kyoko spends the rest of her day between her last scenes in a happy daze, mulling over which dishes to cook for Tsugura-san that he would like and give him energy and confidence for whatever role he would be playing next. She also wonders what on earth he had to go out of town for to get her for Christmas/birthday/end-of-show celebration. The thought makes her grin and blush. After all, only Moko-chan had given her both a Christmas gift and a proper birthday present (Moko-chan was obviously going to be at the wrap party, and no gifts were to be expected by anyone there).
Kyoko got from her best friend a set of gift cards for her favorite restaurant for Christmas, and a Princess Tiara for her birthday that she thought was absolutely dreamy, leading to one of Moko's unwanted super-hugs from Kyoko! The young actress had, though, received a few Christmas gifts from the staff, such as the President, Yashiro, directors she had worked with, and even a few other actors and actresses who had learned to respect (if not like) Kyoko...mostly edibles and practical gifts. But knowing that Tsugura-san was bringing her something special for both—AND as a congrats gift as well (a three-in-one present!), she can barely think straight! She doesn't care if he got her something like a pre-paid ticket for a tattoo! Whatever it is, it is already special to her. Just the thought that he thought of her, and in all three celebratory scenarios, was gift enough in her mind. In the back of it, she also wondered what role the President had in mind for her, too, but Tsugura-san is far more important, so she doesn't give it much thought. She leaves the wrap party early, after getting Yashiro's key, and goes food shopping. She puts the distracting thought of the mystery gift Tsugura-san was fetching for her out of her mind, as well as any thoughts of her next role, because she needs to concentrate on her gift to Tsugura-san—a special home-cooked dinner!
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Both seated for dinner now, Ren's eyes bug at the smorgasbord of beautifully-laid-out food Kyoko has made for him. When he had left a key to his house with Yashiro to give Kyoko so she would have time to cook the dinner before 8, Yashiro gave him a devilish grin and a poorly-disguised lewd comment, though Ren had explained the innocent meaning of the key. Nonetheless, Ren is now quite glad he had done so, despite the embarrassment. It was well worth it—Kyoko had obviously spent hours preparing this meal, just for him, making him feel special. Kyoko herself looked quite happy and proud. There is no way he could not find this meal the best he ever had.
"Wow! You really went all-out, Mogami! This really is a celebration gift! It looks and smells so good, I'm on the verge of drooling!" He grins up at Kyoko, who grins back with sheer joy.
"Ok," Kyoko begins, "it's time to eat it now! I really hope you like it! ITADAKIMASU!"
"Itadakimasu!"
"Oh, matte! I'm sorry, Tsugura-san! I was so focused on the food, I completely forgot to get drinks! One moment, please!"
"No! You went through all this trouble, the least I can do is bring drinks. You just sit still and I'll be right back!"
Kyoko is helpless against that smile. She could not argue with him when he is flashing her that "happy Ren" face, despite feeling it is a part of her duty as Meal-Maker to provide the drinks as well. Thus, she keeps silent, smiling at how happy her Tsugura-san is.
Within moments, Ren returns to the table with a bottle of wine and two glasses—one regular wine glass, and another one Kyoko immediately recognizes.
"Y-you kept the jelly glass?" Kyoko asks, sounding like she is on the brink of tears.
Ren smiles tenderly at her. "Of course I did. I'd never throw out such a precious gift."
Kyoko is visibly moved. She is blushing, her eyes shining, and a smile upon her face as she gazes at the glass.
"I know you're technically too young to drink alcohol, Mogami," Ren begins, "but I won't tell if you won't. Will you share just one glass with me? I'd like to make a proper toast…"
Kyoko, speechless, could only nod and smile happily. Ren fills both glasses halfway.
"Then before we eat…a toast! To acting success, personal growth, and the formation of real friendships, Mogami!"
="Kampai!"= they say together, and clink their glasses…then each takes a drink. Kyoko, having never tasted alcohol before, chokes up on the first sip.
"I-I'm sorry, Tsugura-san. I ruined your beautiful toast!"
"You didn't ruin anything, Mogami," he says with a smile. "It takes a bit of getting used to, that's all. I'm just glad you are here to make such a toast with!"
Kyoko returns his smile, glad he wasn't disappointed in her for choking up.
"Well…shall we eat now then Mogami?"
"Sure! For real this time…Itadakimasu!"
"Itadakimasu!"
For the next two hours, the pair eats their fill of the feast Kyoko had prepared, Ren making sure to compliment each dish he tries. While they eat, they discuss their recent roles—difficulties, overcoming issues, successes, hard work, fun, and learning and growing as actors and people. It is a very pleasant meal, and Kyoko no longer has trouble drinking her wine. Little did Ren know that Kyoko is thinking that they seemed like a real couple during this meal—nor did she even come close to suspecting he was thinking the same thing. However, despite both their efforts to drag out dinner, dessert, and drinks, eventually there is nothing left but the empty, dirty dishes. Kyoko then excuses herself from the table and begins to clean up.
"Mogami, what do you think you are doing?" remarks Ren.
"Cleaning up, of course!"
"Well please don't. You went through so much trouble to make this feast for me…the least I can do is clean up the mess and put the dishes in the dishwasher. Please, allow me."
"B-but…it's not much of a gift if you have to pay for it in work, Tsugura-san! And I don't mind, really! Please allow me!"
Ren sighs. "Very well. On one condition. You have to at least let me help!"
Now it's Kyoko's turn to sigh. "All right," she agrees reluctantly. Thus the two of them clear the table together, get the dishes in the dishwasher, and return to the dining room—tired, but happy-and not wanting to end their night together, despite the lateness of the hour. It was half past ten at this point.
"I know it's late, Mogami, and we both need to get some rest for tomorrow—but I haven't given you your gift yet!" He grins at her, knowing full well she had completely forgotten about it with her focus having been on the meal this whole time. He doesn't mind though; that makes it even more of a surprise.
"OH!" Kyoko gasps, feeling bad for forgetting.
Ren then pulls a black plush, medium-sized square box out of his pocket. "I had this specially made—just for you. I really hope you like it."
"I already do, Tsugura-san," replies Kyoko softly, feeling that no matter what is in that box, it far exceeds her gift to him, no matter how much or how good of a meal she had made for him.
The girl opens the box slowly and carefully, making Ren want to scream, "just take it out already!" But, in true form, he stays outwardly cool as a cucumber.
What Kyoko pulls out of the box dazzles her. It is a silver bracelet, covered in winged fairy charms—each in a different pose.
Without taking her eyes off it for a second, peering down at it, Kyoko speaks with a hushed voice, "Ts-Ts-Tsugura-san…I-I don't know what to say! This is the single-most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life! They're all fairies, and with the different poses, they….they look like they're dancing!"
Ren can't help but smile widely at Kyoko's reaction. He was pretty sure Kyoko would like it, but this exceeded his expectations. "Here," he says softly, "let me put it on you."
Ren takes the empty jewel box and puts it back inside his jacket pocket, then quickly clips the clasp onto Kyoko's wrist, then tilts her down-turned face up—to see tears welling up in her eyes.
"I'm glad you like it, Mogami," Ren says with a genuine smile. "I know it's late; that couldn't be helped. But Merry Christmas, Happy 18th birthday, and congratulations on nailing your last role all the way to story completion. I'm not sure there is a role out there you couldn't play, honestly."
That's it. A most beautiful and gracious gift, crafted just for her specifically, to celebrate three different special days—and such a grand seal-of-approval compliment on her acting ability from her Acting God-the man she loves. Her glossy eyes can't hold back the tears now. Ren can't help but be glad to see those tears—the best form of gratitude anyone could ever—or has ever—offered him.
"Tsugura-san…there…there…there… aren't any words that can express what this means to me! I couldn't show you the entirety of my gratitude if I spent the rest of my life trying! I will treasure this forever! Th-thank you oh so much! My dinner pales so much in comparison!"
"Mogami, you went the extra mile just for me to make the perfect dinner as a gift—and it was the best I ever ate in my life. Knowing how much care you put into making it while sacrificing your precious time just for me is gift and thanks enough. That and your appreciation for my gift to you…you've shown me true gratitude of the highest level. I promise." He gives her a large and genuine smile.
Kyoko smiles back, happy tears still trickling down her cheeks. "I may not be able to ever show just how truly grateful I am…but I know one way that will at least make it partially clear." With that, she shocks Ren out of his shoes—with a kiss on the cheek.
"That's the American way, right?" Ren says with a smile to Ren's wide-eyed, open-jawed face, her own face crimson with drying tears still evident upon her cheeks. Ren quickly regains his composure and returns his face to normal, nods his answer to Kyoko, and smiles sweetly at her.
Ren wants this to last forever. But he has an agenda, and it is already so late. He dreads it, but he knows he has to come clean with her. He knows the confession he would be making to her, tonight, will hurt her, and anger her fiercely. He knows it could very well undo everything pleasant that had happened this night. It might even make her hate him. Return the gift she cried and kissed his cheek for. Never speak to him again. Perhaps even seek revenge on him like she did Sho in the beginning. But the Grand Lie is eating away at him. He has to tell her.
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"OK, Mogami…I hate to do this now. Believe me, I really really do. I don't want to, not in the slightest, but I have to. The longer I wait, the harder it gets. Tonight has been a most wonderful night, and I hate to mar it so, but…if I wait any longer, the guilt will continue to eat at me until there is nothing left inside me. Please understand that I had my reasons—and I intend to explain them to you if you are willing to listen. But right now, I have to get something off my chest, even though I know it will hurt us both. Please prepare yourself for some shocking news.
"Wh-what….what are you talking about, Tsugura-san? You're scaring me! What is it? Tell me!"
With a deep, dark, heavy sigh, Ren makes his confession—complete with demonstration.
"This, Mogami, is what I wanted to tell—or rather show—you." He turns his back to her, pulls something out of his pocket, and then puts his hand to his face twice. He then faces Kyoko with emerald eyes, and with a quite serious face, removes his "Tsugura" wig, tousling his naturally-blonde hair.
Kyoko's eyes widen as her mouth drops. "C-C-Corn?"
Ren sighs, looking down. "Mogami…your "Corn" is—and always has been—me. I'm not a fairy prince with magical powers. I'm just a man. It was me you met in the woods in Kyoto, me who gave you the blue stone, and me you discovered at the beach in Guam. I am truly sorry for not telling you the truth sooner."
After a few moments of painful silence, Ren looks up at Kyoko, speaking her name to her down-turned head. Kyoko looks up, severe anger written all over her face. Glaring straight into Ren's now-green eyes, she slaps his cheek so hard it leaves an imprint of her hand.
"Y-y-you lied to me! You deceived me! You cheated me! You betrayed me! How could you?! I trusted you! You're worse than Sho!" With that, Kyoko turns her back to Ren and tromps toward the door.
"Mogami!" Ren yells, pierced straight through by her "worse than Sho" comment. He expected the rest, but that…
"Please, wait! Let me explain!" Kyoko keeps walking wordlessly toward the door.
Before Kyoko grabs the door handle, she turns to Ren. "Oh yeah!" she yells, digging in her bag, "and you can have this back!" She throws at him her previously-treasured blue stone, which hits him square in the chest and bounces onto the floor before him. "After all, it's yours, right? And it's nothing more than a stupid big blue ROCK!" She once again turns around and puts her hand on the doorknob of the front door.
"Mogami…I'm begging you. Please turn around, just for a moment…then if you still wish to leave, I will not stop you."
Kyoko spins on her heels, still furious…only to see the proud Tsugura Ren completely prostrated before her-not bowing, but kissing the floor!
"Mogami…I know you are too angry to forgive me now, even if I beg…but would you at least let me explain? You were willing to hear your mother's side of her story, won't you at least afford me the same privilege?"
Kyoko wants to scream, "Hell no! You don't deserve it!" But seeing such a proud man in THAT position—in front of HER—she just can't bring herself to say a solid no.
"Y-N-Maybe! In time, Cor-Tsug-whatever the hell your damn name is! And get up off the floor, it's embarrassing!"
Ren rises to his feet then, his head still bowed in shame. "Thank you, Mogami," he says morosely, with a deep bow. "I will look forward to that day."
Kyoko turns away from him again, and walks out of his house, slamming the door behind her.
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As she practically jogs home, quite the distance from Ren's place, Kyoko's head spins with questions.
Why? Why did he pretend to be a fairy prince, not just once when he was a child, but again as an adult? Why did he continue to lie to me, keeping up the act? Was that blue stone really something precious to him, or just something he picked up out of a stream and handed it to me as a gullible child to make a fool of me? Why did he claim to be cursed?
With that thought, a couple of disturbing—yet simultaneously wonderful—thoughts occur to her. Why the hell did he tell me he loved me and KISS me, of all things?
She ponders that for a moment. Were they just part of the act too? I mean he said he needed a 'kiss of true love' or something like that to break the curse, but there was obviously no real curse since there was no real Corn! And just what is his real name, anyway? Is his Tsugura-san all just an illusion? I-Is nothing of the man I fell in love with real? And…and…and what about THIS? Did he really make this bracelet especially for me somewhere out of town? Or is it just some cheap trinket he picked up somewhere, maybe America? He seemed so damn sincere! So damn happy! Was he just acting the whole time?
She removes the bracelet, balls it into her fist, and raises her arm up and back, ready to throw it as far as she can—but can't quite do it. She puts it into her pocket.
Tears of pain and anger begin to cloud her vision. But she eventually makes it home.
Once in bed, Kyoko's thoughts turn from questions to self-loathing. I knew better, didn't I? Not to ever fall in love again. Because this is what happens. I end up alone, crying in the dark, raging and regretting. It doesn't matter that I tried to prevent it. The problem is I didn't prevent it, despite my best efforts. That damn Tsugura-san! He has hurt me oh so much more than Sho did. I don't know if I can recover from this heartbreak. My feelings for Tsugura-san were so much deeper than those I held for Shotaro. I mean, I'm angrier than ever before, yet have no desire to take vengeance on him. I feel far too heartbroken and weak for that. So what shall I do, then? Avoid him forever by leaving LME and give up my newly-found dreams? My new life? My new friends? My new me? All of which…I owe to that man! It disgusts me! So maybe then I should just go ahead and bite the bullet and face him at work again as if nothing has happened. Show him just how good an actress I really can be! Hm, if I can someday outshine him as an actor, I'll be getting revenge on him even without it being my driving force! Maybe then this bone-chilling pain will dissipate…"
Kyoko sighs heavily, and tries to forget it all and sleep. But that just isn't a possibility for her this night. Her self-talk would not abate. But then…why did he just tell me the truth? Surely he knew how furious I would be…if he hadn't told me and shown me, I never would have known! So why now, all of a sudden? Why did he tell me he was Corn, knowing how I would feel? He did say he could explain it…and like an idiot, I agreed to listen to that explanation—someday—but how will I know if his explanation is even the truth? Maybe it will be just another con job? I just don't know anymore! I wish I had told him to go hell instead of agreeing to hear him out! I don't want to listen to any more of his lies!
For the rest of the night, Kyoko cries into her pillow, beating on her futon, and getting no sleep at all.
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Ren is faring no better in his own bed. He had known Kyoko would be instantly furious with him—after all, he was killing off a beloved friend of hers. He even suspected she would hit him, and refuse to immediately listen to his 'excuses' (as he was sure she would take them at that time if she had been willing to hear him out right away) for keeping the truth from her. But he had not expected her to chunk at him the special gift he had once given her, that had held so much meaning to her—and himself—before, deeming it to be nothing more than a plain, useless rock…and he certainly hadn't expected her to compare him to Sho! "You're worse than Sho! You're worse than Sho! Your'e worse than Sho!" The painful words keep repeating in his mind like a mantra, crushing his soul each time. He holds the blue stone tightly in his left hand, illuminated by the moonlight coming in from the window, staring into it as if it held some grand answer to this serious problem. He second-guesses his actions earlier that night, telling her the truth about him being her precious Corn, but he can't bring himself to regret it despite his pain or hers. He just couldn't keep lying to her. He had hoped she would have at least been receptive to hearing his story, if she had stayed long enough to calm down, for if she had heard all of what he wanted to tell her, he believed she would understand and forgive him. How naïve of me, he thinks, rubbing the mark on his cheek with his free hand. But she did say "in time"…there is still hope then, right? But…what if there isn't? What if she hates me so much now that she retracts that one light of hope I have that she'll listen to me and hates me forever? What if…what if she does listen, just to keep her word, but doesn't believe a word I saynow? She's deemed me worse than Sho, after all, and I can't say I haven't lied to her. I couldn't really blame her in either case. It's no wonder I've never been in love before. I'm no good at it. And it hurts beyond words.
Ren sighs heavily, sets the stone on the bedside table, turns onto his stomach, and buries his face in his pillow. "Kyoko-chan…I'm so, so sorry. Please forgive me someday. If you will allow it, I will tell you all my secrets so that nothing stands between us. If I can only have this one wish…" He sighs again, terribly uncertain of the future—and fearful of it for the first time ever—and tries to sleep. However, that terrible echo in his head remains, preventing it from happening.
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